‘Beezin’ can cause pinkeye, doctor warns

Young teens are reportedly using Burt’s Bees lip balm to get high in a new practice called “beezin.”

Teens rub the lip balm onto their eyelids and the peppermint oil within the lip balm creates an intensified feeling they would have if they were drunk or high. In a way, it is like an alternative to drugs and alcohol for teens.

Others may use the lip balm on their eyes for a more alert feeling in the morning. This can be a dangerous method because the eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the body.

But Beezin can also cause some serious side effects: A doctor from Oklahoma City says using Burt’s Bees lip balm on the eye lids can cause pink eye, inflammation in the eye and swelling. This is because the peppermint in the lip balm- the same substance that makes it so popular for Beezin – is also a strong irritant.

And, for the record, Burt’s Bees does not think this is a good idea.

“There are lots of natural things that probably shouldn’t go in eyes — dirt, twigs, leaves, food — and our lip balm,” the company said in a statement last week.

“We recommend that people use our products as directed and we will make every effort to ensure that the intended use of our lip balm is clearly communicated.”